Prep roundup: North swimmers ease past Bartlett

BARTLETT – The St. Charles North boys swimming team rolled past Upstate Eight Conference counterpart Bartlett, 122-61, on Thursday in a final tuneup for Saturday’s home invitational.

“The kids swam well. I was real happy with how we did,” North Stars coach Rob Rooney said. “Nice step-ups by some kids in races they normally don’t swim. I’m eager to see where things are going to go here. We’ve got a team with some good growth potential that is doing some positive things.”

Benjamin Sherman captured titles in the 50-yard freestyle (23.54) and 100 free (51.53), while Tim Steele also was a double individual winner with victories in the 200 free (1:57.30) and 100 butterfly (55.93).

Joe Myhre took the 200 individual medley (2:05.6) and also was part of winning swims in the 200 medley and 400 free relays. Sherman (200 medley) and Steele (400 free) also were part of top relay swims.

Next up is the North Stars’ annual invitational, which includes the chance to compete against powers such as Libertyville and Normal University.

“They’re always here, but I think it’s the first time they’re looking to be the big dogs in the state,” Rooney said.

“Played very strong first and fourth quarters to get out early and then to finish them off,” Bulldogs coach Kevin Jensen said. “The second and third quarters, we didn’t quite have the same execution and smooth play, but it was a good night to get through.”

Initially a wrestler, Kirby left the team as a freshman because of a reluctance to cut weight. Older brother Zach, now a football and track athlete at North Central College, didn’t want him simply to go home. So Kaleb Kirby joined the track team on a whim.